Struggling With SAT Vocabulary? Start With These 25 Essential Words

Words. Words. Words.

There are so many vocabulary words that could possibly appear on the SAT. How on earth are you supposed to know them all? Where do you even begin?

How about right here.

These 25 high-frequency vocabulary words are essential for strong SAT performance. Knowing them will not only help with Vocabulary in Context questions, but will also support success on Command of Evidence and Inference questions—where understanding tone, nuance, and argument is critical.

Abate

Definition: To become less intense or widespread.

Example: As the storm abated, the tension among the travelers slowly eased.

Abridge

Definition: To shorten a text while retaining its essential meaning.

Example: The editor abridged the original manuscript for publication in the anthology.

Ambiguous

Definition: Open to more than one interpretation; unclear.

Example: The novel’s ambiguous ending leaves readers uncertain about the protagonist’s fate.

Ambivalent

Definition: Having mixed or conflicting feelings about something.

Example: She felt ambivalent about leaving home, eager for independence yet saddened by the departure.

Apathetic

Definition: Showing little interest or concern.

Example: The essay criticizes a society that grows apathetic in the face of injustice.

Ardent

Definition: Passionate, enthusiastic, or intense.

Example: An ardent supporter of reform, she devoted her life to social change.

Attenuate

Definition: To weaken, reduce, or lessen the force of something.

Example: The speaker attempted to attenuate criticism by acknowledging the plan’s limitations.

Augment

Definition: To increase or add to something.

Example: The study was augmented with additional data from recent surveys.

Concede

Definition: To admit a point as true, often reluctantly.

Example: The author concedes that the theory has flaws but argues it remains useful.

Contentious

Definition: Likely to cause disagreement or argument.

Example: The policy proved contentious, dividing both lawmakers and citizens.

Corroborate

Definition: To confirm or support with evidence.

Example: The witness’s account was corroborated by photographic evidence.

Emanate

Definition: To originate from or flow out of something.

Example: A sense of calm seemed to emanate from the quiet landscape.

Enumerate

Definition: To list items one by one.

Example: The report enumerates the factors contributing to economic decline.

Epitome

Definition: A perfect example of a particular quality or type.

Example: The character is the epitome of moral integrity in the novel.

Eschew

Definition: To deliberately avoid or reject something.

Example: The philosopher eschewed material wealth in favor of a simple life.

Harbinger

Definition: A sign or warning of something to come.

Example: Dark clouds served as a harbinger of the approaching storm.

Implicit

Definition: Suggested or implied but not directly stated.

Example: There is an implicit criticism of authority throughout the essay.

Manifest

Definition: Clear, obvious, or evident.

Example: Her determination was manifest in every action she took.

Nuance

Definition: A subtle distinction or variation in meaning or tone.

Example: The author’s use of irony adds nuance to the argument.

Pragmatic

Definition: Practical and focused on results rather than theory.

Example: The solution proposed is pragmatic, addressing immediate concerns.

Refute

Definition: To prove a statement or argument false.

Example: The scientist refuted the claim with carefully controlled experiments.

Subdued

Definition: Restrained, quiet, or less intense.

Example: The mood of the room was subdued after the announcement.

Transpose

Definition: To change the order or position of something.

Example: The composer transposed the melody into a lower key.

Ubiquitous

Definition: Present or found everywhere.

Example: Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.

Wary

Definition: Cautious or alert to potential danger or problems.

Example: The author is wary of drawing conclusions without sufficient evidence.

One final tip

When studying vocabulary, don’t stop at memorizing definitions. Focus on how words function in context by reading them in sentences and practicing with your own examples. This ability—to understand meaning based on usage—is the exact skill the SAT is designed to test.

So, how many of these words did you already know? Or more importantly, how many do you need to learn?

If you need more help with vocabulary or any aspect of the SAT, book a free 30-minute consultation to get started learning more study tips and testing strategies with expert guidance from a test prep professional.